Suspension Including Coil Spring and Ambient Air Cushion

ABSTRACT

A front fork of a bicycle may include a suspension system that includes a damper. The damper may include a hollow tube with orifices that may be partially blocked by an adjustable blocker. A free end of the adjuster that adjusts the blocker may maintain its axial position in any rotational position. Ambient air may be introduced through a valve and retained in the suspension system. The suspension may include a mechanical spring in a chamber away from the valve that introduces the ambient air.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/546,931 filed August 17, 2017.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

(Not Applicable)

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX

(Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a suspension system that includes acoil spring and a progressive resistance air chamber. More specifically,the present design relates to one fork of a suspension system of abicycle that includes a coil spring and an air chamber that resistscompression.

Many bicycle suspension systems incorporate a coil spring in a frontfork. Riders often tune their coil springs to allow the springs toabsorb or minimize the impact to the rider for typical obstacles that arider might encounter. However, because many of these typical obstaclesare relatively small, the suspension may not fully absorb the impactfrom larger obstacles or drops. Instead, the suspension tends to fullycompress or “bottom out”, thereby transmitting the force to the rider,which is an undesirable condition.

For many cyclists, it is important to be able to vary the rate at whichthe front fork of a bicycle compresses when it hits an obstacle. Somecyclists prefer a stiffer feel, while others prefer a softer feel. Stillothers have differing preferences depending on the particular terrainand objects likely to be encountered in an off-road environment. It isalso important for the suspension to resist hard bottoming during severecompression.

In many conventional shock absorbers, a spring is damped undercompression and rebound by controlling the flow of a substantiallyincompressible fluid. However, achieving an increasing damping forceduring compression with such a system in order to avoid hard bottomingmay require complicated valve arrangements that increase cost comparedwith achieving the same goal by controlling a compressible gas. Also, adamping device that uses gas may be more convenient to service than onerequiring an incompressible fluid, such as oil.

Accordingly, in many embodiments, it may be desirable to incorporate afeature that gives progressive resistance to the suspension near thefull compression or “bottom out”. In some embodiments, the feature mayincorporate the use of air to act in a manner to resist compression andabsorb energy near the end of the suspension stroke.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a suspension system. The suspensionsystem may include a first tube, a second tube, a barrier, a hollowroad, an adjustable blocker, and first and second substantially one-wayvalves.

The first tube may at least partially define a first chambersubstantially filled with a gas. The second tube may have a free endinterfitted with the first tube and may at least partially define asecond chamber substantially filled with the gas.

The barrier may be adjacent the free end of the second tube. The barriermay include the first substantially one-way valve, which valve may allowthe gas to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber.

The hollow rod may be attached to the first tube and may extend throughthe barrier and into the second tube. The hollow rod may have aninterior cavity and an open end and may define at least one orificewhich allows the gas to flow between the first chamber and the interiorcavity

The adjustable blocker may be capable of controlling the rate at whichthe gas flows through the at least one orifice during movement of thebarrier towards the closed end of the first tube.

The second substantially one-way valve may permit the introduction ofadditional gas from outside the first and second tubes into one of thefirst and second chambers while substantially preventing the venting ofgas from the first and second chambers outside the first and secondtubes.

Upon a compression stroke, movement of the barrier within the first tubemay move at least some of the gas from the first chamber through theorifice at a rate depending on the position of the adjustable blocker,into the interior cavity, and into the second chamber. Upon an expansionstroke, at least some of the gas may flow through the firstsubstantially one-way valve. The gas may be substantially retainedwithin the first and second tubes during the compression and expansionstrokes.

The suspension system may further comprise a resilient member attachedto the adjustable blocker. The suspension system may further comprise aresilient member adjacent the adjustable blocker. The secondsubstantially one-way valve may comprise a spring and a blocker.

The suspension may further include an adjuster attached to theadjustable blocker. A free end of the adjuster may extend from the firsttube. Rotation of at least one portion of the adjuster may cause axialmovement of the adjustable blocker. The free end of the adjuster maymaintain a single axial position, regardless of its rotational position.

The first substantially one-way valve may comprise a seal that isgas-permeable in a first direction from the second chamber to the firstchamber. The first substantially one-way valve may prevent gas flow inthe opposite direction.

In another embodiment, a suspension system includes a first tube, asecond tube, a barrier, a hollow rod, a mechanical spring, an adjustableblocker, and first and second substantially one-way valves.

The first tube may at least partially define a first chambersubstantially filled with a gas. The second tube may have a free endinterfitted with the first tube and may at least partially define asecond chamber substantially filled with the gas. The barrier may beadjacent the free end of the second tube. The barrier may include thefirst substantially one-way valve, which valve may allow the gas to flowfrom the second chamber to the first chamber. The hollow rod may beattached to the first tube and may extend through the barrier and intothe second tube. The hollow rod may have an interior cavity and an openend and may define at least one orifice which allows the gas to flowbetween the first chamber and the interior cavity. The mechanical springmay be in the second tube. The adjustable blocker may be capable ofcontrolling the rate at which the gas flows through the at least oneorifice during movement of the barrier towards the closed end of thefirst tube. The second substantially one-way valve may permit theintroduction of additional gas from outside the first and second tubesdirectly into the first chamber while substantially preventing theventing of gas from the first and second chambers outside the first andsecond tubes.

The suspension system may further comprise a resilient member attachedto the adjustable blocker. The suspension system may further comprise aresilient member adjacent the adjustable blocker. The secondsubstantially one-way valve may comprise a spring and a blocker.

The suspension may further include an adjuster attached to theadjustable blocker. A free end of the adjuster may extend from the firsttube. Rotation of at least one portion of the adjuster may cause axialmovement of the adjustable blocker. The free end of the adjuster maymaintain a single axial position, regardless of its rotational position.

The first substantially one-way valve may comprise a seal that isgas-permeable in a first direction from the second chamber to the firstchamber. The first substantially one-way valve may prevent gas flow inthe opposite direction.

In another embodiment, a suspension system may include a first tube, asecond tube, a barrier, a hollow rod, and a valve.

The first tube may at least partially define a first chambersubstantially filled with a gas. The second tube may have a free endinterfitted with the first tube and may at least partially define asecond chamber substantially filled with the gas. The barrier may beadjacent the free end of the second tube. The barrier may include asubstantially one-way valve allowing the gas to flow from the secondchamber to the first chamber. The hollow rod may be attached to thefirst tube and may extend through the barrier and into the second tube.The hollow rod may have an interior cavity and an open end. The hollowrod may define at least one orifice allowing the gas to flow between thefirst chamber and the interior cavity. The valve may be within thehollow rod and may be capable of controlling the rate at which the gasflows through the at least one orifice during movement of the barriertowards the closed end of the first tube. The valve may include at leastone resilient portion. At least one portion of the valve may have anadjustable position.

Upon a compression stroke, movement of the barrier within the first tubemay move at least some of the gas from the first chamber through theorifice at a rate depending on the position of the adjustable blocker,into the interior cavity, and into the second chamber. Upon an expansionstroke, at least some of the gas may flow through the firstsubstantially one-way valve.

The resilient portion may comprise a spring. The resilient portion maycomprise an elastomeric portion. The suspension system may furtherinclude a blocker, and the resilient portion may be on the blocker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a suspension systemaccording to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the suspension system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one arm of the suspension systemtaken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of the embodimentshown in FIG. 3 and numbered as 4, including a first embodiment showinga blocker in a substantially open position;

FIG. 5 is the enlarged view of FIG. 4 showing the blocker in asubstantially closed position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of the embodimentshown in FIG. 3 and numbered as 4, including another embodiment showinga blocker in a substantially open position;

FIG. 7 is the enlarged view of FIG. 7 showing the blocker in asubstantially closed position;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of the embodimentshown in FIG. 3 and numbered as 4, including yet another embodimentshowing a blocker in a substantially open position;

FIG. 9 is the enlarged view of FIG. 8 showing the blocker in asubstantially closed position;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of the embodimentshown in FIG. 3 and numbered as 4, including yet another embodimentshowing a blocker in a substantially open position;

FIG. 11 is the enlarged view of FIG. 10 showing the blocker in asubstantially closed position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of the embodimentshown in FIG. 3 and numbered as 12;

FIG. 13 is the view of FIG. 3 showing the suspension in compressed form;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of the embodimentshown in FIG. 3 and numbered as 14; and

FIG. 15 is a view of the structure of FIG. 14 with the spring in acompressed position.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which isillustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted tofor the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the inventionbe limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understoodthat each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operatein a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, theword connected or terms similar thereto are often used. They are notlimited to direct connection, but include connection through otherelements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent bythose skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, various terms relating to direction may beused.

The elements discussed herein relate to a bicycle. Because, in itsoperable position, a bicycle is oriented generally vertically, i.e.,perpendicular to the ground, the direction terms refer to the positionof an element relative to gravity when the bicycle is in its operableposition. Accordingly, for example, the term “downwardly” refers to thedirection towards the ground when the bicycle is in its operableposition, and the term “forwardly” relates to a direction towards afront wheel of the bicycle when it is in its operable position. Further,the terms “inboard” and “outboard” may be used. The term “inboard”describes a position between one item and a vertical plane substantiallybisecting the bicycle. The term “outboard” describes a position of anobject further from the vertical centerplane of the bicycle. Inaddition, the terms “bicycle” and “bike” are used hereininterchangeably. A person having ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that if something is referred to as one, it can refer to theother.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present embodiments include structurethat can be incorporated into a suspension 100 for a bicycle (notshown), which may be used to dampen shocks that may occur when a wheel(not shown) attached to a first lower end 102 and a second lower end 104of the suspension system 100 encounters an obstacle. The first lower end102 may be the lower end of the first leg 106 of the suspension 100 andthe second lower end 104 may be the lower end of the second leg 108 ofthe suspension 100. The suspension system 100 may dampen the impactforce so that it is lessened or eliminated before it reaches a bicycleframe (not shown) that may be attached to an upper end 110 of thesuspension 100, and before it reaches the rider on the bicycle frame.The wheel (not shown) may be attached to the suspension system 100 usingany desirable axle system, including one that uses a quick release 112,shown only for illustration of one possible axle system, and notintended to limit the use of the disclosed embodiments, and the frame(not shown) may be attached to the suspension system 100 using anydesirable system, and these attachments are well within the knowledgeand experience of a person having ordinary skill in the art.

Turning now to FIG. 3, which is a partial cross section of the first leg106 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, the first leg 106 may include afirst tube 312 and a second tube 314. The first tube 312 may beconfigured to have a closed end 316 and an open end 318. The second tube314 may be configured to have a first end 320 and a second end 322. Thefirst tube 312 and the second tube 314 may be configured so that thefree end or second end 322 of the second tube 314 may telescopically andslidingly engage or interfit with or within the open end 318 of thefirst tube 312.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first leg 106 may have a central axis 301 thatruns the length of the first leg 106. In the present disclosure, when astructure is described a having an axial position or moving axially,that structure or motion is described relative to a position or movementalong the axis 301. Similarly, if a structure is described as having arotational position or moving rotationally, it means moving rotationallywith a point or line coincident with the axis 301 at its center.Manufacturing tolerances and design changes that may make a particularpart slightly off-center from the precise axis 301 are still includedwithin this definition of axial and rotational movement, such that axesthat may differ slightly from the axis 301 may still be considered theaxis for axial motion or rotation.

A barrier 326 may be configured to be positioned adjacent, near or atthe second end 322 of the second tube 314. An inner surface 328 of thefirst tube 312 and a first side 330 of the barrier 326 may define afirst chamber 336. An inner surface 332 of the second tube 314 and asecond side 334 of the barrier 326 may define a second chamber 338. Eachof the first chamber 336 and the second chamber 338 may contain gas. Inmany embodiments, the suspension 100 may not be air-tight, but mayinstead allow air to flow substantially one way into the suspension 100,and more specifically, directly into the first chamber 336, as will bedescribed below. Accordingly, in many embodiments, the first chamber 336and the second chamber 338 may be filled with ambient air at ambienttemperature and pressure.

Turning now to FIG. 12, in some embodiments, the barrier 326 may furtherinclude a substantially one-way valve 1200. In some embodiments, thesubstantially one-way valve 1200 may permit gas to flow from the secondchamber 338 to the first chamber 336,but may substantially prevent gasfrom flowing from the first chamber 336 to the second chamber 338. Inmany embodiments, it may be desirable for the substantially one-wayvalve 1200 to include a seal or o-ring 1202 that is capable ofsubstantially preventing air flow through a passageway or orifice 1204defined by or through the barrier 326. The use of a seal 1202 may allowthe substantially one-way valve 1200 to be gas permeable, allowingpressure or force from gas in the second chamber 338 that exceeds thepressure or force from gas in the first chamber 336 to displace the seal1202 and flow around the seal 1202 into the first chamber 336 (thedisplaced position is not shown in this FIG., but is easily understoodby a person of ordinary skill in the art). When the gas pressure orforce in the first chamber 336 equals the gas pressure or force in thesecond chamber 338, or when the gas pressure or force in the firstchamber 336 exceeds the gas pressure or force in the second chamber 338,the seal 1202 may return to the position shown in FIG. 12, therebyminimizing or preventing the flow of gas from the first chamber 336 tothe second chamber 338 through the passageway 1204.

Returning to FIG. 3, a spring, such as the coil spring 341, may bepositioned within the second chamber 338. The spring 341 may beconventional and may be selected by a person having ordinary skill inthe art to have the characteristics deemed desirable for a particularride condition. A piston or plate 342 may be fixed to a rod 348, whichmay be attached to the first end 312 and may extend from the closed end316 of the first tube 312, through the barrier 322, and into the secondchamber 338. In some embodiments, the rod 348 may be hollow, and thefree end 347 of the hollow rod 348 may be open and allow gas to flowbetween the second chamber 338 and the interior cavity 349 of the hollowrod 348. The plate 342 may contact or support a lower end 344 of thespring 341. The first end 320 of the second tube 314 may contact orsupport an upper end 346 of the spring 341.

Upon impact of a wheel attached to the suspension 100 with an obstacle,compression will occur. Accordingly, the barrier 326 may move within thefirst tube 312 towards the closed end 316 of the first tube 312, therebycompressing any gas within the first chamber 336. In this way, the firstchamber 336 may be considered a compression chamber. The plate 342 maymove within the second tube 314 towards the first end 320 of the secondtube 314, thereby compressing the spring 341. The gas within the firstchamber 336 may tend to resist movement of the barrier 326 within thefirst chamber 336 towards the closed end 316 of the first tube 312 andthe spring 341 may tend to resist movement of the plate 342 towards thefirst end 320 of the second tube 314. Upon the end of the compressionstroke, the force of the gas against the first side 330 of the barrier326 and the force of the coil spring 341 against the plate 342 may urgethe suspension 100 back to a position similar or identical to that shownin FIG. 3, which shows the suspension 100 generally in an extendedposition. This general configuration and suspension stroke is analogousto conventional designs, and any modifications to this design would bewell within the capabilities of a typical designer. FIG. 13 shows across section of the leg 106 showing the suspension in a generallycompressed position.

However, in some embodiments, the suspension 100 may include a dampingsystem 350 that may be incorporated into the suspension. The primaryfeatures of the damping system 350 may be seen in the remainingdrawings. The damping system 350 may, in many embodiments, beincorporated at least partially within the interior cavity 349 of thehollow rod 348. In each of the embodiments that follow, the remainingelements of the suspension system 100 may remain the same orsubstantially the same as that shown in FIG. 3 and the other FIGS.mentioned above, unless they are specifically described as differingfrom the general configuration.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a first embodiment of a damping system 350. Thedamping system may include the hollow rod 348. At least one or a seriesof orifices 452 may be defined in the hollow rod 348. The orifices maypermit gas to flow between the first chamber 336 and an interior cavity349 within the hollow rod 348. In many embodiments, the hollow rod 348may be open at its free end 347. Therefore, in many embodiments, gas maybe permitted to flow from the compression chamber 336, through thehollow rod 348 and into the second chamber 338. The manner or rate inwhich gas is permitted to flow may be defined by the position of anadjustable damping blocker 454.

The adjustable blocker 454 may be positioned within the interior cavity349 of the hollow rod 348. One end of the adjustable blocker 454 may beattached to an adjuster 456. The adjuster 456 may extend outside theclosed end 316 of the first tube 312, and may include a knob, dial, orother structure that may allow a rider or any other person to adjust theposition of the damping blocker 454 relative to the at least one orifice452. In many embodiments, it is desirable for the free end 482 of theadjuster 456 to remain a fixed axial distance 483 from closed end 316 ofthe first tube 312. In the illustrated embodiments, the closed end 316of the first tube 312 may be adjacent the structure that attaches thesuspension system 100 to the wheel (not shown), for example the quickrelease 112 (see FIG. 1), or other moving parts, such as parts of abrake system or other functional parts of the vehicle. In addition, inuse, the position of the adjuster 456 may make it vulnerable to damagefrom contact with rocks, sticks, and other objects in the ridingenvironment. Accordingly, in many embodiments, it may be desirable forthe adjuster to be of a shape and size to have a minimal profile, whilestill being large enough for a user to manipulate it, particularlywithout the use of other tools. Additionally, it may be desirable forrotation of at least one portion of the adjuster 456 to be capable ofcausing axial movement of the blocker 454 without the adjuster 456 alsoaxially moving, so that the free end 482 of the adjuster maintains asingle axial position, regardless of its rotational position.

One possible embodiment for such an adjuster is shown in FIG. 4, andthis embodiment may be similarly used in connection with any of theillustrated embodiments to move the respective blockers illustrated inthose embodiments. The adjuster 456 may include a knob 1600 that may berotated or otherwise manipulated by a user. The knob 1600 may beattached, such as by a set screw (not shown) to a first end 1601 of akey 1602. If desired, the knob 1600, key 1602 or another element of theadjuster 456 may include visual, tactile, or other sort of indicia toassist a user in setting an appropriate position of the blocker 454. Oneexample of a tactile indicia is a ball and spring embedded, as at 1604within the key 1602. The ball may enter one of the grooves 1606 on theinside of a screw 1608, which may provide a vibrational response to theuser that the ball has entered a different groove 1606. The blocker 454may include an interior cavity 1610 that is hexagonal. The key 1602 mayinclude a similar hexagonal profile. A hexagonal shape is not necessaryto the use of the present configuration, but in many embodiments, amating and non-round configuration is desirable. The blocker 454 mayinclude a threaded portion 1614 on its exterior that may mate with asimilar thread 1616 on the interior cavity 349 of the hollow rod 348.Accordingly, when the key 1602 is rotated, the rotation of the key 1602may cause the position of the blocker to translate axially along theinterior cavity 349 of the hollow rod 348, while leaving the axialposition of the key 1602 and the related knob 1600 unaffected.Accordingly, the free end 482 of the adjuster 456 may maintain a singleaxial position, regardless of its rotational position.

FIG. 4 shows the damping blocker 454 in a substantially open positionand FIG. 5 shows the damping blocker 454 in a substantially closedposition. In many embodiments, it may be desirable to configure thedamping blocker 454 to restrict or control the flow of gas between thecompression chamber and the second chamber. However, in manyembodiments, the use of a position that completely eliminates the flowof gas around the damping blocker 454 may be undesirable, because such aposition would essentially disable the damping feature of the dampingsystem 350. A similar undesirable result may occur if the blocker 454were positioned to allow gas to flow without any restriction at all.Accordingly, in many embodiments, the adjuster 456 may be configuredonly to allow the user to position the blocker 454 in any positionbetween a substantially open and a substantially closed position, butthe adjuster 456 may allow a substantially infinite adjustment anywherebetween those positions.

In the substantially open position of FIG. 4, the damping blocker 454may be positioned closer to the closed end 316 of the first tube 312than when it is in the substantially closed position of FIG. 5. Upon acompression stroke, when the barrier 326 moves within the compressionchamber 336, gas from the compression chamber 336 may move through theat least one orifice 452, past the damping blocker 454, into and throughthe interior chamber 349 and into the second chamber 338. This air flowis shown using the arrow 460.

In the substantially closed position of FIG. 5, gas takes a similarroute. However, in the substantially closed position, the free end 462of the damping blocker 454 may contact a seal 464 attached to one end466 of a spring 468. The opposite end 469 of the spring 468 may beattached to a spring stop 470 secured to the hollow rod 348. When thedamping blocker 454 is in or near contact with the seal 464, the gasfrom the compression chamber 336 may be retained within the compressionchamber 336 until the force of the gas pressure exceeds the springpressure from the spring 468. When the gas pressure reaches thetriggering threshold, the air pressure may overcome the spring force,thereby moving the spring 468 and the seal 464 and allowing the gas toflow through the orifice 452, around the blocker 454 and into andthrough the interior cavity 349, and into the second chamber 338. Thisgas flow is shown using the arrow 480. This configuration may be moreeasily used when the gas in the suspension system is under pressure, inorder for the gas pressure or force to overcome the spring force, but itmay also be used when the gas is ambient air pressure.

Upon reaching the full compression stroke, at least some of the gas thatmoved from the compression chamber 336 to the second chamber 338 mayreturn to the compression chamber 336 by flowing around the seal 1202,as was described above. In some positions of the blocker 454, gas maytravel in a reverse direction through the interior cavity 349 and intothe compression chamber 336.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of a damping system 350. Thedamping system may include the hollow rod 348. At least one or a seriesof orifices 652 may be defined in the hollow rod 348. The orifices maypermit gas to flow between the first chamber 336 and the interior cavity349 within the hollow rod 348. In many embodiments, the hollow rod 348may be open at its free end 347. Therefore, in many embodiments, gas maybe permitted to flow from the compression chamber 336, through theinterior cavity 349 of the hollow rod 348 and into the second chamber338. The manner and rate in which gas is permitted to flow may bedefined by the position of the damping blocker 654.

The damping blocker 654 may be positioned within the interior cavity 349of the hollow rod 348. One end of the damping blocker 654 may beattached to an adjuster 656. The free end 682 of the adjuster 656 mayextend outside the first tube 312, and may include a knob, dial, orother structure that may allow a rider or any other person to adjust theposition of the damping blocker 654 relative to the at least one orifice652. The adjuster 656 may have the same or substantially the sameconfiguration as that described in connection with the adjuster 456,such that the free end 682 of the adjuster 656 may maintain a singleaxial position, regardless of its rotational position.

FIG. 6 shows the damping blocker 654 in a substantially open positionand FIG. 7 shows the damping blocker 654 in a substantially closedposition. In many embodiments, it may be desirable to configure thedamping blocker 654 to restrict or control the flow of gas between thecompression chamber and the second chamber. However, in manyembodiments, the use of a position that completely eliminates the flowof gas around the damping blocker 654 may be undesirable, because such aposition would essentially disable the damping feature of the dampingsystem 350. A similar undesirable result may occur if the blocker 654were positioned to allow gas to flow without any restriction at all.Accordingly, in many embodiments, the adjuster 656 may be configuredonly to allow the user to position the blocker 654 in any positionbetween a substantially open and a substantially closed position, butthe adjuster 656 may allow a substantially infinite adjustment anywherebetween those positions.

In the substantially open position of FIG. 6, the damping blocker 654may be positioned closer to the closed end 316 of the first tube 312than when it is in the substantially closed position of FIG. 7. Upon acompression stroke, when the barrier 326 moves within the compressionchamber 336, gas from the compression chamber 336 may move through theat least one orifice 652, past the damping blocker 654, and into theinterior cavity 349. This flow is shown using the arrow 660.

In the substantially closed position of FIG. 7, gas takes a similarroute. However, in the substantially closed position, the free end 662of the damping blocker 654 may contact a one end 666 of a resilientmaterial 668 that may function like a spring. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the resilient material 668 is shown as a cylinder, butanother configuration could be used, if desired by a designer, to give adifferent compression profile. The opposite end 669 of the resilientmaterial 668 may be attached to a spring stop 670 secured to the hollowrod 348. When the damping blocker 654 is in or near contact with the oneend 666, the gas from the compression chamber 336 may be retained withinthe compression chamber 336 until the force of the gas pressure exceedsthe spring pressure from the resilient material 668. When the gaspressure reaches the triggering threshold, the gas pressure may overcomethe spring force, thereby compressing and moving the resilient material668 and allowing the gas to flow around the blocker 654, into andthrough the interior cavity 349, and into the second chamber 338. Thisflow is shown using the arrow 680. This configuration may be more easilyused when the gas in the suspension system is under pressure, in orderfor the gas pressure or force to overcome the spring force, but it mayalso be used when the gas is ambient air pressure.

Upon reaching the full compression stroke, the gas that moved from thecompression chamber 336 to the second chamber 338 may return to thecompression chamber 336 by flowing around the seal 1202 as was describedabove. In some positions of the blocker 654, gas may travel in a reversedirection through the interior cavity 349 and into the compressionchamber 336.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a third embodiment of a damping system 350. Thedamping system may include the hollow rod 348. At least one or a seriesof orifices 852 may be defined in the hollow rod 348. The orifices maypermit gas to flow between the first chamber 336 and the interior cavity349 within the hollow rod 348. In many embodiments, the hollow rod 348may be open at its free end 347. Therefore, in many embodiments, gas maybe permitted to flow from the compression chamber 336, through thehollow rod 348 and into the second chamber 338. The manner and rate inwhich gas is permitted to flow may be defined by the position of thedamping blocker 854.

The damping blocker 854 may be positioned within the interior cavity 349of the hollow rod 348. One end of the damping blocker 854 may beattached to an adjuster 856. The free end 882 of the adjuster 856 mayextend outside the first tube 312, and may include a knob, dial, orother structure that may allow a rider or any other person to adjust theposition of the damping blocker 854 relative to the at least one orifice852. The adjuster 856 may have the same or substantially the sameconfiguration as that described in connection with the adjuster 456,such that the free end 882 of the adjuster 856 may maintain a singleaxial position, regardless of its rotational position.

FIG. 8 shows the damping blocker 854 in a substantially open positionand FIG. 9 shows the damping blocker 854 in a substantially closedposition. In many embodiments, it may be desirable to configure thedamping blocker 854 to restrict or control the flow of gas between thecompression chamber and the second chamber. However, in manyembodiments, the use of a position that completely eliminates the flowof gas around the damping blocker 854 may be undesirable, because such aposition would essentially disable the damping feature of the dampingsystem 350. A similar undesirable result may occur if the blocker 854were positioned to allow gas to flow without any restriction at all.Accordingly, in many embodiments, the adjuster 856 may be configuredonly to allow the user to position the blocker 854 in any positionbetween a substantially open and a substantially closed position, butthe adjuster 856 may allow a substantially infinite adjustment anywherebetween those positions. Because there is no spring force to overcome,this configuration may be equally easily used when the gas in thesuspension system is under pressure and when the gas is ambient airpressure.

In the substantially open position of FIG. 8, the damping blocker 854may be positioned closer to the closed end 316 of the first tube 312than when it is in the substantially closed position of FIG. 9. Upon acompression stroke, when the barrier 326 moves within the compressionchamber 336, gas from the compression chamber 336 may move through theat least one orifice 852, past the damping blocker 854, into and throughthe interior cavity 349, and into the second chamber 338. This flow isshown using the arrow 860.

In the substantially closed position of FIG. 9, gas takes a similarroute. However, in the substantially closed position, damping blocker854 may be positioned directly adjacent the at least one orifice 852,thereby directly minimizing the flow of gas by directly blocking the atleast one orifice 852. This flow is shown using the arrow 880.

Upon reaching the full compression stroke, the gas that moved from thecompression chamber 336 to the second chamber 338 may return to thecompression chamber 336 by flowing around the seal 1202 as was describedabove. In some positions of the blocker 854, gas may travel in a reversedirection through the interior cavity 349 and into the compressionchamber 336.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a fourth embodiment of a damping system 350. Thedamping system may include the hollow rod 348. At least one or a seriesof orifices 1052 may be defined in the hollow rod 348. The orifices maypermit gas to flow between the first chamber 336 and the interior cavity349 within the hollow rod 348. In many embodiments, the hollow rod 348may be open at its free end 347. Therefore, in many embodiments, gas maybe permitted to flow from the compression chamber 336, through thehollow rod 348 and into the second chamber 338. The manner and rate inwhich gas is permitted to flow may be defined by the position of thedamping blocker 1054.

The damping blocker 1054 may be positioned within the interior cavity349 of the hollow rod 348. One end of the damping blocker 1054 may beattached to an adjuster 1056. The free end 1082 of the adjuster 1056 mayextend outside the first tube 312, and may include a knob, dial, orother structure that may allow a rider or any other person to adjust theposition of the damping blocker 1054 relative to the at least oneorifice 1052. The adjuster 1056 may have the same or substantially thesame configuration as that described in connection with the adjuster456, such that the free end 1082 of the adjuster 1056 may maintain asingle axial position, regardless of its rotational position.

FIG. 10 shows the damping blocker 1054 in a substantially open positionand FIG. 11 shows the damping blocker 1054 in a substantially closedposition. In many embodiments, it may be desirable to configure thedamping blocker 1054 to restrict or control the flow of gas between thecompression chamber and the second chamber. However, in manyembodiments, the use of a position that completely eliminates the flowof gas around the damping blocker 1054 may be undesirable, because sucha position would essentially disable the damping feature of the dampingsystem 350. A similar undesirable result may occur if the blocker 1054were positioned to allow gas to flow without any restriction at all.Accordingly, in many embodiments, the adjuster 1056 may be configuredonly to allow the user to position the blocker 1054 in any positionbetween a substantially open and a substantially closed position, butthe adjuster 1056 may allow a substantially infinite adjustment anywherebetween those positions.

In the substantially open position of FIG. 10, the damping blocker 1054may be positioned closer to the closed end 316 of the first tube 312than when it is in the substantially closed position of FIG. 11. Upon acompression stroke, when the barrier 326 moves within the compressionchamber 336, gas from the compression chamber 336 may move through theat least one orifice 1052, past the damping blocker 1054, into andthrough the interior cavity 349, and into the second chamber 338. Thisflow is shown using the arrow 1060.

In the substantially closed position of FIG. 11, gas takes a similarroute.

However, in the substantially closed position, the free end 1062 of thedamping blocker 1054 may include a resilient material 1066 that mayfunction as a spring. When the resilient material 1066 is placedadjacent the at least one orifice 1052, the gas from the compressionchamber 336 may be retained within the compression chamber 336 until theforce of the gas pressure exceeds the spring pressure from resilientmaterial 1066. When the air pressure reaches the triggering threshold,the gas pressure may overcome the spring force, thereby compressing theresilient material 1066 and allowing the gas to flow around the blocker1054 and into the passage 349. This flow is shown using the arrow 1080.This configuration may be more easily used when the gas in thesuspension system is under pressure, in order for the gas pressure orforce to overcome the spring force, but it may also be used when the gasis ambient air pressure.

Upon reaching the full compression stroke, the gas that moved from thecompression chamber 336 to the second chamber 338 may return to thecompression chamber 336 by flowing around the seal 1202 as was describedabove. In some positions of the blocker 1054, gas may travel in areverse direction through the interior cavity 349 and into thecompression chamber 336.

As noted above, the pressure or force of the gas within the suspensionsystem may be at or around ambient air pressure, and a secondsubstantially one-way valve may be included to allow ambient air toenter the suspension system. Cross sections of the second substantiallyone-way valve 1482, which may permit air to enter directly into thefirst chamber 336 may be seen in FIGS. 14 and 15 FIG. 14 illustrates thesubstantially one-way valve 1482 in a closed position, and FIG. 15illustrates the substantially one-way valve 1482 in an open position. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the substantially one-way valve1482 is shown as a poppet, but other, similar configurations could beused instead. In the illustrated embodiment, force from a spring 1484and air pressure from the first chamber 336 may press against a firstside 1486 of the blocker 1488. This pressure or force may tend to forcethe blocker 1488 away from the first chamber 336, thereby pressing aseal 1490, such as the o-ring illustrated, between a shoulder 1492 onthe blocker 1488 and a support 1494. This placement of the seal 1490between the shoulder 1492 and the support 1494 may tend to block airfrom flowing past the seal 1490. In many embodiments, the spring forceapplied by the spring 1484 against the blocker 1488 is slight, so thatwhen the force of the air pressure within the first chamber 336 dropsbelow atmospheric pressure, force from the ambient air (which isgenerally at or around atmospheric pressure) may tend to overcome theforce from the air in the first chamber 336 and the second chamber 338and the force of the spring 1484, thereby moving the blocker 1488towards the second chamber 338 and compressing the spring 1484, as isseen in FIG. 15. This movement of the blocker 1488 may tend to allow airto flow through the passageway 1493 along the flow path illustratedusing the arrow numbered 1495. The air may tend to enter an annularspace 1496 between the first tube 312 and the second tube 314 and enterthe first chamber 336. In many embodiments, the ability to introduceadditional air quickly, while preventing the venting of air to theatmosphere, may tend to maintain optimum performance of the suspension100 by minimizing or preventing the creation of a vacuum within thefirst chamber 336.

The venting of air may be further undesirable, in many bicycleconfigurations, because vented air may be contaminated with lubricantsthat are generally present within a suspension. Venting from thesuspension may be undesirable because the introduction of a lubricantadjacent such parts as the ride surface of the tire and/or aconventional disc brake, may tend to negatively affect those parts. Inaddition, the venting of lubricant generally may be unnoticed by arider. Accordingly, the lubricant may be deposited on a variety ofadjacent surfaces, including the tire, wheel, hub, spokes, frame, andeven on the rider's clothing, causing these parts to attract and retaindust, dirt, and still other contaminants.

In the disclosed embodiments, blockers, springs, and apertures ofvarious sizes and shapes were illustrated. The precise configurations ofthese items are shown in an illustrative fashion only. A designer caneasily change the shape, size, material, number or other features ofthese items to achieve a particular flow characteristic that thedesigner may deem particularly desirable or helpful. These modificationsare well within the knowledge of a designer having ordinary skill in theart.

This detailed description in connection with the drawings is intendedprincipally as a description of the presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in whichthe present invention may be constructed or utilized. The descriptionsets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementingthe invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is tobe understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions andfeatures may be accomplished by different embodiments that are alsointended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the inventionand that various modifications may be adopted without departing from theinvention or scope of any claims.

1. A suspension system, comprising: a first tube at least partiallydefining a first chamber substantially filled with a gas; a second tubehaving a free end interfitted with the first tube and at least partiallydefining a second chamber substantially filled with the gas; a barrieradjacent the free end of the second tube, the barrier including a firstsubstantially one-way valve allowing the gas to flow from the secondchamber to the first chamber; a hollow rod attached to the first tubeand extending through the barrier and into the second tube, the hollowrod having an interior cavity and an open end and defining at least oneorifice allowing the gas to flow between the first chamber and theinterior cavity; an adjustable blocker capable of controlling the rateat which the gas flows through the at least one orifice during movementof the barrier towards the closed end of the first tube; and a secondsubstantially one-way valve permitting the introduction of additionalgas from outside the first and second tubes into one of the first andsecond chambers while substantially preventing the venting of gas fromthe first and second chambers outside the first and second tubes;wherein, upon a compression stroke, movement of the barrier within thefirst tube moves at least some of the gas from the first chamber throughthe orifice at a rate depending on the position of the adjustableblocker, into the interior cavity, and into the second chamber; wherein,upon an expansion stroke, at least some of the gas flows through thefirst substantially one-way valve; and wherein the gas is substantiallyretained within the first and second tubes during the compression andexpansion strokes.
 2. The suspension system according to claim 1,further comprising a resilient member attached to the adjustableblocker.
 3. The suspension system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a resilient member adjacent the adjustable blocker.
 4. Thesuspension system according to claim 1, wherein the second substantiallyone-way valve comprises a spring and a blocker.
 5. The suspension systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising an adjuster attached to theadjustable blocker.
 6. The suspension system according to claim 5,wherein a free end of the adjuster extends from the first tube, andwherein rotation of at least one portion of the adjuster causes axialmovement of the adjustable blocker.
 7. The suspension system accordingto claim 6, wherein the free end of the adjuster maintains a singleaxial position, regardless of its rotational position.
 8. The suspensionsystem according to claim 1, wherein the first substantially one-wayvalve comprises a seal that is gas permeable in a first direction fromthe second chamber to the first chamber and prevents gas flow in asecond, opposite direction.
 9. A suspension system, comprising: a firsttube at least partially defining a first chamber substantially filledwith a gas; a second tube having a free end interfitted with the firsttube and at least partially defining a second chamber substantiallyfilled with the gas; a barrier adjacent the free end of the second tube,the barrier including a first substantially one-way valve allowing thegas to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber; a hollow rodattached to the first tube and extending through the barrier and intothe second tube, the hollow rod having an interior cavity and an openend and defining at least one orifice allowing the gas to flow betweenthe first chamber and the interior cavity; a mechanical spring in thesecond tube; an adjustable blocker capable of controlling the rate atwhich the gas flows through the at least one orifice during movement ofthe barrier towards the closed end of the first tube; and a secondsubstantially one-way valve permitting the introduction of additionalgas from outside the first and second tubes directly into the firstchamber while substantially preventing the venting of gas from the firstand second chambers outside the first and second tubes.
 10. Thesuspension system according to claim 9, further comprising a resilientmember attached to the adjustable blocker.
 11. The suspension systemaccording to claim 9, further comprising a resilient member adjacent theadjustable blocker.
 12. The suspension system according to claim 9,wherein the second substantially one-way valve comprises a spring and ablocker.
 13. The suspension system according to claim 9, furthercomprising an adjuster attached to the adjustable blocker.
 14. Thesuspension system according to claim 13, wherein a free end of theadjuster extends from the first tube, and wherein rotation of at leastone portion of the adjuster causes axial movement of the adjustableblocker.
 15. The suspension system according to claim 14, wherein thefree end of the adjuster maintains a single axial position, regardlessof its rotational position.
 16. The suspension system according to claim9, wherein the first substantially one-way valve comprises a seal thatis gas permeable in a first direction from the second chamber to thefirst chamber and prevents gas flow in a second, opposite direction. 17.A suspension system, comprising: a first tube at least partiallydefining a first chamber substantially filled with a gas; a second tubehaving a free end interfitted with the first tube and at least partiallydefining a second chamber substantially filled with the gas; a barrieradjacent the free end of the second tube, the barrier including asubstantially one-way valve allowing the gas to flow from the secondchamber to the first chamber; a hollow rod attached to the first tubeand extending through the piston and into the second tube, the hollowrod having an interior cavity and an open end and defining at least oneorifice allowing the gas to flow between the first chamber and theinterior cavity; a valve within the hollow rod capable of controllingthe rate at which the gas flows through the at least one orifice duringmovement of the barrier towards the closed end of the first tube,wherein the valve includes at least one resilient portion and wherein atleast one portion of the valve has an adjustable position; and wherein,upon a compression stroke, movement of the barrier within the first tubemoves at least some of the gas from the first chamber through theorifice at a rate depending on the position of the adjustable blocker,into the interior cavity, and into the second chamber; wherein, upon anexpansion stroke, at least some of the gas flows through the firstsubstantially one-way valve.
 18. The suspension system according toclaim 17, wherein the resilient portion comprises a spring.
 19. Thesuspension system according to claim 17, wherein the resilient portioncomprises an elastomeric portion.
 20. The suspension system according toclaim 17, further comprising a blocker and wherein the resilient portionis on the blocker.